News for 12 June 2020
All the news for Friday 12 June 2020
Hockey activity resumes in China as battle against COVID-19 continues
In the latest of our ‘Play Hockey Stay Healthy’ feature stories, Liu Yuxiang of the Chinese Hockey Association tells us how the sport is slowly resuming in certain areas in China as well as the safety measures being taken in relation to the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
Hi Liu, thank you for talking to us. The COVID-19 global health pandemic has had a huge impact on all aspects of life, with the inability to play sports such as hockey being just one of many things affected in this crisis. China is one of the countries in which hockey is slowly returning. Could you tell us what stage you are at regarding the return to action, and how things are coming together?
Liu Yuxiang: “Like many other sports, hockey has been largely affected in China since February. We are now working to restart hockey competitions at regional level. In areas where the COVID-19 risk is at a low level, we are encouraging a combination of 6-a-side and 11-a-side tournaments to be held, depending on the pitch size and age group of the players. Also, we plan to organize online coaching clinics, umpiring courses as well as sport science seminars.”
After a long period of lockdown, there must be a real sense of excitement about the return to action. What has been the reaction from your respective hockey communities?
Liu Yuxiang: “Hockey fans are very excited to see regional competitions are taken place. During national lockdown, social media played a very active role in connecting hockey community. People share views, news, video clips by WeChat. Our [Chinese Hockey Association’s] public account on WeChat has shown an incredible increase in headline clicks and posts during the most difficult time.”
Are there any special measures in place regarding social distancing? What is currently allowed in terms of training and interaction between the players and coaches?
Liu Yuxiang: “In most of the cities in China, the pandemic has been taken under good control. According to the guidelines of the health authority, travel restrictions have been lifted and lives are more or less coming back to normal. In May our national women’s team returned from South Africa [after being stuck there for many weeks due to lockdown] and, having completed the three weeks quarantine, are now allowed to train and travel as usual.”
Everyone recognises the devastating impact that the coronavirus has had on the world. However, sport often proves to be a powerful and positive force during difficult times. How important is the return of our sport to the hockey family in China?
Liu Yuxiang: “Sport has always been the best way to encourage people during hard times. People are motivated by seeing hockey, as a minority sport, restarted as a pioneer. Hockey fans are all very excited to see the video showing our national players training during national lockdown in South Africa, and their fighting spirit is well proved in this campaign.”
#PlayHockeyStayHealthy
FIH site
US 2020 High Performance Centers Canceled
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Based on feedback and consideration, USA Field Hockey and the women’s High Performance Coaching Staff have decided to cancel the 2020 High Performance Centers.
Originally scheduled to run from April through May, the eight regional women’s High Performance Centers were put on hold April 17 with the hopes of resuming activity at the end of July or beginning of August. Due to the ongoing uncertainties surrounding return to play regulations and safety because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, these have now been canceled.
The 2021 U.S. Women’s Olympic Developmental Pathway and development opportunities are currently under review by the women’s High Performance Coaching Staff and more information will be provided when available.
For additional and most updated information, visit USA Field Hockey’s COVID-19 Updates website by clicking here.
USFHA media release
Peremiquel and Dani Malgosa announce their retirements from Atlèti
Atlètic Terrassa have seen two of their most experienced stars hang up their sticks with Oriol Peremiquel and Dani Malgosa stepping back.
Peremiquel spent 10 seasons in the first team at Atlèti either side of spells with KHC Dragons and Antwerp in Belgium.
With the Terrassa club, he won five league titles as well as a Copa del Rey crown. In the EHL, he played in the first season of the competition in the 2007-08 campaign, reaching the KO8 while he went on to win a bronze with Dragons in 2013-14.
Malgosa, meanwhile, captained the side last season and finishes up after five seasons in the first team, a league title and 29 goals. He also played his part in the club’s run to the EHL FINAL4 in 2016.
Speaking about his decision to step back, he said: “I leave with a lot of good memories and that is what matters. Being part of this team and representing Atletic Terrassa has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life.
“I can only be grateful to everyone with whom I have shared a team, to all those who have trained me and all the opponents with whom I have faced and had to battle, doing so with respect.
“I am left with many memories of the different experiences this sport has given me, of the many teammates I have had, of friends and family with whom I have shared all this.”
Euro Hockey League media release
MHC to hold first post-Covid-19 board meeting tomorrow
By Jugjet Singh
FILE PIX: MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
SOME exciting outcomes are expected when the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) hold their first post-Covid-19 executive board meeting tomorrow.
Among the matters on the agenda will be the tabling and approval of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) prize money, which was sidelined by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We will table and seek approval for the MHL prize money and the treasurer can then start sending out cheques as soon as possible.
"The MHL ended in February but payment has been delayed because of the worldwide pandemic.
"The winning teams can rest assured that the prize money will be paid out soon," said MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
HockAdemy have been vocal in their prize money demands, and even wrote to MHL sponsors Tenaga Nasional and others asking about it.
The MHC executive board are also expected to discuss about hockey being back on the pitch after June 15, and the SOP that players have to follow.
"We are very grateful to the government for allowing hockey players to train on the pitch by next week.
"We have drawn up SOP for hockey's return, and players and coaches have to follow it to make sure training goes on smoothly.
"We understand the government have their reasons to ease controls gradually, but we hope to get an approval to conduct full training sessions soon.
"We would also like to start playing matches as soon as possible, as the national players need to get back into action fast, as they are chasing a World Cup berth," said Subahan.
MHC are also keen to keep their Razak Cup (Aug 21-29) and Junior Hockey League dates (September) after many tournaments were wiped out by Covid-19.
The Azlan Shah Cup, Sultan of Johor Cup and Malaysia Games hockey event were among the virus' casualties.
The MHC are also said to be looking into a serious breach of conduct in the past few months by an official, and it would be interesting to see if the board recommend any action.
New Straits Times